Cupsets Abound in Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup Second Round

CHICAGO (May 18, 2016) – The Second Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup provided plenty of drama as well as a path for eight amateur clubs to advance to the tournament’s Third Round on June 1.

The PDL was well-represented in the “Cupset” department as Des Moines Menace knocked off the Tulsa Roughnecks 2-0 and The Villages SC dispatched Charleston Battery 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw. Earlier in the night, Open Division qualifier Lansdowne Bhoys (N.Y.) also saw off the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-0, while L.A. Wolves FC defeated Orange County Blues 4-2 on penalty kicks following their 1-1 draw.

Chattanooga FC, Kitsap Pumas and La Maquina took the total of amateur teams that advanced to the Third Round on Wednesday to seven. The group is guaranteed to grow to eight as the Second Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup concludes Thursday night when Open Division qualifier New York Pancyprian-Freedoms host the PDL’s Jersey Express at Belson Stadium in Jamaica, N.Y. at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Prior to that match, the Draw to determine the host scenarios and pairings for the tournament’s Fourth Round will take place Thursday morning at Soccer House in Chicago. The results will be live tweeted from @OpenCup beginning at approximately 10 a.m. CT.

SECOND ROUND RECAPS:

Wednesday, May 18:

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL) 0, Lansdowne Bhoys (N.Y., Open Division) 2Lansdowne Bhoys of New York continued their fairy tale debut in the Open Cup with an emphatic 2-0 win against Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Lansdowne were undaunted by another away game in the cup and it showed in their enterprising attacking play. The visitors went forward from the outset and Craig Purcell headed home a free kick from Jimmy Neilis after 10 minutes. The debutants never looked back and the home team faced an uphill climb. The Riverhounds attempted to mount the comeback in the second half but substitute Drew Russell was shown the red card after two bookable offenses in the space of 10 minutes. Bhoys hit the post shortly thereafter and completed their upset after Daryl Kavanagh slotted home the rebound of Oakley Ovan’s shot in the 76th minute. Lansdowne Bhoys will visit Rochester Rhinos in the Third Round on June 1.

Southie FC (Mass., Open Division) 0, Rochester Rhinos (USL) 7The 2015 USL champion Rochester Rhinos scored early and often in a 7-0 thrashing of Southie FC. Forward Asani Samuels paced the Rhinos with a hat trick, including two scores in a span of 30 seconds shortly before the half. Christian Volesky began the scoring with a successful penalty kick in the fifth minute, followed by goals from Andre Fortune II and Marcos Ugarte over the ensuing 20 minutes. Rochester continues its 21st consecutive appearance in the Open Cup at home against Lansdowne Bhoys FC on Wednesday, June 1.

Richmond Kickers (USL) 4, Aromas Café FC (Va., Open Division) 0
The Richmond Kickers got on the board early when Sunny Jane scored off a free kick just two minutes into the match. The Kickers’ Hugh Roberts added another in the 25th minute, ending the first half with a solid 2-0 lead. Minutes into the second half, Richmond’s Anthony Grant upped the home side’s lead to 3-0. Luiz Fernando added an 83rd minute goal to cap a 4-0 victory for the USL side. The Richmond Kickers will travel to play Jacksonville Armada FC on June 1.

Charlotte Independence (USL) 2, Charlotte Eagles (PDL) 0In the first-ever Queen City Derby, the professionals got on the board first as Chris Hellman slammed home a rebound to give the Independence a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute. The USL side doubled its lead on the other side of halftime when Jack Metcalf’s cross picked out Caleb Calvert who saw his shot initially saved by Will Pyle before veteran midfielder Jorge Herrera buried the rebound in the 50th minute. The two goals paced the Independence to a steady 2-0 victory against their city rivals and set up a Third Round date at the Carolina RailHawks on Wednesday, June 1.

Miami Fusion FC (NPSL) 0, Wilmington Hammerheads (USL) 6The Wilmington Hammerheads dominated from start to finish in their 6-0 win against Miami Fusion FC Wednesday night. It took just six minutes for Justin Moose to put the USL side on the board and another three for Logan Miller to double the lead. Austin Martz got in on the scoring with goals in the 23rd and 32nd minutes to take Wilmington into halftime with a 4-0 lead. Not wanting to leave the second half dry, the Hammerheads’ Kyle Parker earned a brace with goals in the 78th minute and second half stoppage time to give Wilmington the 5-0 victory. Wilmington will head down to Florida to face Miami FC (NASL) in the Third Round on June 1.

Detroit City FC (NPSL) 0, Louisville City FC (USL) 0 (1-3 PKs)Looking to make some noise in this year’s U.S. Open Cup, Detroit City FC headed south to take on Division III pro side Louisville City FC. After a scoreless 90 minutes, the visitors, who had been reduced to 10 men in the 103rd minute, snagged the lead when defender Seb Harris put home a feed from Ali Al-Gashamy. With only five minutes remaining, Ilija Ilic came to the rescue for Louisville City, scoring the equalizer after his side had also had a man sent off. Despite taking a 1-0 lead thanks to Harris after the first round of penalty kicks, DCFC saw the rest of its chances go begging, while Louisville’s Paolo DelPiccolo, Ilic, and Cameron Lancaster converted to send Louisville City to a Third Round match-up with NASL side Indy Eleven on June 1.

FC Cincinnati (USL) 2, Indy Eleven NPSL (NPSL) 1
Awarded a penalty kick after an Indy Eleven NPSL hand ball in the box, FC Cincinnati’s Omar Cummings converted the spot kick in the 36th minute. Minutes later, Indy Eleven’s Vincent Mitchell equalized to push the score to 1-1 heading into halftime. Straight off the bench in the second half, Cincinnati’s Jimmy McLaughlin grabbed the game-winner in the 61st minute to seal the new USL side’s first-ever U.S. Open Cup victory. FC Cincinnati will travel to play the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) on June 1.
West Chester United SC (Pa., Open Division) 0, Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) 2
Harrisburg City Islanders advanced to the Third Round of the Open Cup for the third consecutive year after a 2-0 win against West Chester United SC. Bobby Warshaw scored the opener for the visitors, turning in a cross from Craig Foster after 14 minutes. Shortly after halftime, the Islanders doubled their lead when Matt Boluc finished at the far post in the 49th minute. In a game of few chances, the City Islanders coasted to victory after building their two-goal lead and will face Chattanooga SC in their next match of the Open Cup.

Charleston Battery (USL) 2, The Villages SC (PDL) 2, (2-4 PKs)Despite losing the lead twice, The Villages SC pitched a huge “Cupset,” defeating the Charleston Battery 4-2 on penalty kicks to advance to the Third Round in its first-ever U.S. Open Cup appearance. Villages forward Carlos Araujo scored the game’s first goal in the 24th minute, but Charleston’s Dante Marini leveled the score seconds before the first half expired. Araujo tallied his second goal of the match with a header in the 66th minute before Christopher Tsonis evened the score at two goals apiece. The Villages looks to continue its Cinderella story against the Jacksonville Armada on Wednesday, June 1.

Chattanooga FC (NPSL) 0, Reading United AC (PDL) 0 (4-1 PKs)While both teams saw multiple chances to score, neither could find the back of the net, sending the match to extra time, which yielded penalty kicks. Chattanooga FC sunk its first four penalties, while Reading United AC could only convert one, continuing the NPSL side’s good fortune on penalty kicks in the tournament. Chattanooga FC will face the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL) on June 1.

AFC Cleveland (NPSL) 0, Saint Louis FC (USL) 2Saint Louis FC topped AFC Cleveland 2-0 in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night. Saint Louis forward Jamiel Hardware chipped the ‘keeper for the game’s first goal in the 22nd minute. Jordan Roberts doubled Saint Louis’ lead in the 77th minute thanks to an impressive assist from Seth Rudolph. Saint Louis is set to host NASL’s Minnesota United FC in the Third Round on Wednesday, June 1.

Mississippi Brilla FC (PDL) 0, OKC Energy FC (USL) 0 (OKC Energy FC wins 10-9 on PKs)Goalkeeper Jacob Lissek was the hero for OKC Energy after a marathon Open Cup shootout went 11 rounds in Clinton, Miss. Wednesday night. Lissek saved a penalty kick and then put Mississippi Brilla FC to the sword himself, dispatching his own shot from the spot to send his team to the Third Round of the competition. After a cautious first half with few chances, the game jumped to life after the break behind the visitors’ attack. The Energy were dominant in the second half and had two great chances to win the game in the 75th and 78th with Brilla improbably clearing both off the line. The hosts were defending resolutely and their goalkeeper turned a dangerous shot around the post in the 82nd minute. It proved to be the last major chance of regulation as the game went to extra time. Tensions rose in the additional 30 minutes, with the teams trading chances, fouls and cards but neither found the breakthrough and in truth, penalties were always the likely outcome. The Energy advanced to set up a Sooner State derby with Rayo OKC next month.

Des Moines Menace (PDL) 2, Tulsa Roughnecks (USL) 0After a cagey first half, Des Moines earned a man advantage when Tulsa’s Taylor Morgan was sent off in the 66th minute. It took just two minutes for the Menace to take advantage as Sean Hoek’s breakaway put the PDL side up 1-0. Des Moines doubled the lead with a rocketing shot from Elvir Ibisevic in the 81st minute, proving once again why the Menace are one of the most feared amateur sides in the Pro Era of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Des Moines will look for another “Cupset” when they host San Antonio FC in the Third Round on June 1.

San Antonio FC (USL) 3, Corinthians FC of San Antonio (NPSL) 1Playing their first-ever U.S. Open Cup match, it took San Antonio FC only three minutes to find their first goal in the competition as Jason Johnson finished off a feed from debutant Jacques Francois. Corinthians responded after halftime as Callum Chapman-Page helped make a game of it for the amateur side in the 47th minute. Undeterred, San Antonio FC powered towards the win, as newcomer Francois restored the lead with a scorching blast in the 70th minute, before icing the match four minutes later. With the 3-1 win, San Antonio FC will visit Des Moines Menace in Third Round play on June 1.

Harpo’s FC (Colo., Open Division) 0, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USL) 1In a rematch of last year’s Second Round match-up between Harpo’s FC and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, the result was the same as Switchbacks FC ran out 1-0 winners. Martin Maybin gave the host the lead in the 13th minute. Harpo’s pressured relentlessly and nearly created an equalizer on multiple occasions through the final 20 minutes, Switchbacks FC held firm to secure passage to the Third Round where they will face Arizona United at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona on June 1.

La Maquina (Calif., Open Division) 2, Sacramento Gold (NPSL) 0La Maquina welcomed NPSL club Sacramento Gold to Orange County Wednesday night and sent their state rivals back up I-5 after a decisive 2-0 win for the hosts. La Maquina finally converted their constant pressure into goals late in the second half at Boswell Field at Westminster High School, tallying in the 70th and 79th minutes. José Castro Pérez had the second goal for the home side and wowed the crowd with his elegant play from midfield throughout the game. La Maquina advance to the third round to meet L.A. Wolves FC in another matchup of Southern California clubs.

Orange County Blues (USL) 1, L.A. Wolves (Calif.) 1 (2-4 PKs)The SoCal battle between Orange County Blues and L.A. Wolves continued as a stalemate until midway through the second half when Miguel Sanchez gave the amateur Wolves side a 1-0 advantage in the 72nd minute. Not to be dispatched easily, the Blues struck back five minutes later through Grady Howe, knotting the match a 1-1 and sending the combatants to 30 minutes of extra time. Neither team could regain the lead in the extra period, resulting in a back-and-forth penalty kick shootout. Orange County seized the early advantage as one of Wolves shots was saved, giving the blues a 2-1 lead. The tables turned over the course of the next three kicks however as Orange County failed to convert another kick, while Wolves put away all three from the spot to claim the final victory. L.A. Wolves will remain in sourthern California for the Third Round where they meet La Maquina at Westminster High School in Westminster, Calif., on June 1.

FC Tucson (PDL) 0, Arizona United SC 5 (USL)While FC Tucson was the home side, Arizona United SC was dominant from start to finish in a 5-0 victory at Kino North Stadium on Wednesday night. Luke Rooney, Long Tan, and Sam Garza all found the back of the net to give the USL side a commanding 3-0 lead going into halftime. After the break, Tyler Blackwood extended the lead with an individual effort in the 48th minute, before Tan’s flick-on header in the 68th minute saw the visitors earn an emphatic 5-0 win. With the victory, Arizona United will host fellow USL side Colorado Springs Switchbacks in Third Round play on June 1.

Sacramento Republic FC (USL) 5, CD Aguiluchos USA (Calif.) (NPSL) 0
Sacramento Republic FC opened its 2016 U.S. Open Cup journey with an impressive performance in a 5-0 victory over CD Aguiluchos USA. After having a PK saved by Aguiluchos goalkeeper Kevin Gonzalez, Sacramento Republic began to take advantage of set pieces. Max Alvarez assisted Alfonso Motagalvan and Carlos Rodriguez on two first half corner kick goals and set up another in the 35th minute when his free kick was deflected to Mackenzie Pridham, who smashed home a shot from close range. Sac Republic added goals in stoppage time of both halves as Thomas Stewart scored just before halftime and Max Alvarez curled in a free kick in second half stoppage time. Sacramento hosts Kitsap Pumas in the Third Round on June 1.

Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 1, Sounders FC U-23 (PDL) 0Kitsap Pumas advanced to the Third Round of the Open Cup for the second time in club history and first time since 2011, courtesy of a thrilling 1-0 win against Sounders FC U-23 that featured a last minute goal. Sounders were inches away from snatching victory when David Olsen hit the bar in the 86th minute. And Pumas had the visitors ruing that miss when Javier Castro finally found the break through four minutes later. He popped up at the far post to turn in a cross in the 90th minute and hand the hosts a victory just before the final whistle. Kitsap Pumas will now visit Sacramento Republic FC in next month’s Third Round matchup.

Thursday, May 19:

New York Pancyprian Freedoms (N.Y., Open Division) 0, Jersey Express (PDL) 1
In the final Second Round match of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Chris Karcz picked out Ansger Otto for the lone goal in the 81st minute of Jersey Express’s 1-0 victory against New York Pancyprian Freedoms. With the win, Jersey Express advances to the Third Round for the second straight year where they will face New York Cosmos on June 1.